Temperature control valve



Jan. 29, 1946. R. TITCOMB I TEMPERATURE CONTROL VALVE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 m w mm a 3 a m w a m w m p L w i @ww 1 w ww z m -1, i l|i11 1 w Z 3 g w wm 7 m 7 W n w y a u w 6 E I M W a 4 l w 1 1| Z w W. n W Y WW. 7 0 Z4 l||| I 7 IN VENTOR. 5E Rico/72b,

Jan. 29, 1946. R. TITCOMB TEMPERATURE CONTROL VALVE Filed April 11' 1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Jan. 29, less umr ap s'rArEs PATENT orrice TEMPERATURE CONTROL VALVE Lee R. Titcomb, Chicago, Ill.

Application April 13, 1942, Serial No. 438,798

Claims. or. 236-102) This invention relates generally to a temperature control system and more particularly to a system the operation of which is based on different coefficients of expansion of materials forming its primary control member.

It is an object of this invention to provide a control system the primary control member of which is strong and powerful in its operation but yet which, if required, is delicately responsive to temperature variation of a fraction of a degree. It is also rapid in response, operating almost instantly under conditions such as might be produced by the momentary opening and closing of a furnacedoor.

The preferred embodiment of the invention herein illustrated and-described is employed to regulate the flow of fuel to a burner port or nozzle. A primary control member of the device hereinafter also referred to as pyrostat, of my control system is suitably located in the zone where temperature control is desired and regulates th flow of air to and through a zero pressure regulating valve. The flow through this valve regulates the flow of a combustible gas through a second zero pressure regulating valve. The gas and air are then mixed before entering the burner ports. The ratio of air to gas is initially determined by adjustment of component parts of the two zero pressure regulating valves, which adjustment results in a mixture which is fairly constant over a very wide range of burner operation.

changes to lower temperature when, for example, the furnace or similar device is shut down at the end of an operating period.

My systemhas the further advantage of having its moving parts enclosed and thus preserved from deterioration. In addition, such of the parts as might be adversely affected by any excessive temperature of the space subject to control 'are sumciently removed from the zone where the essential controlling parts are located so as to be fully protected.

So that the powerful action of the rather sizeable heat responsive parts employed may not damage the instrument itself when temperatures outside of its normal range of operation unexpectedly occur, a safety device is provided in the form of a stress-absorbing spring.

The primary control device of my invention, as abov mentioned, is rugged, sturdy and easily constructed. And since the materials used are v not expensive and since no expensive operations are necessary the control system has the I further advantage of low production costs.

These and further advantages will become apparent as I describe, in connection with the accompanying drawings, a preferred embodiment of I my temperature control system.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view through the center of the primary control device and through the two zero pressure regulating valves;

It is another object of this invention to provide not only the usual "011 and off control, but particularly a modulating or throttling action for maintaining the temperature at a constantly equal level. Many of the contemporary control systems operate either to open fully or cut oil. completely the fuel supply, which action results in noticeable fluctuations in operating temperatures. The fluctuations may be aggravated by reason of the fact that many present day "on-off control devices lack suflicient sensitivity to respond as quickly as is desired. Some of the contemporary devices do modulate the supply of fuel, but only in a series of definite steps-not for any desired setting as may be done by my device.

Another difiiculty with controls now in common use is that they are not physically suited for action at high temperatures. They become distorted and fail to operate as desired. However; the primary control member of my system is strongly constructed of sturdy materials which. can withstand high heat and the subsequent Figure 2 is an enlarged view of the lever shown at the upper right of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a section through a modified form of control device;

Figure 4 is a section through a modified form of control device; and

Figure 5 is a detailed sectional view of a modified portion of my control member, namely, the expansion tube and inside members.

Referring now to Figure 1, the primary control device, or pyro-stat, of the system is indicated generally at I ll. -The zero pressure regulating valve controlling the supply of air is indicated generally at H and the zero pressure regulating valve in the gas line is indicated generally at l2. Both these aforesaid valves are of conventional design.

Gas main l3 has a shut-off valve it. From the valve H a pipe I 5. leads directly to the chamber 10' of the zero pressure regulating valve. The main air inlet It also has a shut-off valve ll. At It a tap ltjoins main l6. 'I'ap it passes through an air filter 20 of conventional design and thence through a needle valve 22. At pipe fitting 23 the air path divides; one branch leading to chamber 11b of the zero pressure regulating valve I and the other branch leading to port 25 in the primary control element Ill. The- :branch leading to the control device Ill may be a flexiblemetal hose for easier manipulation and insertion of the element into the device the temperature of which is to be controlled. This primary control device III will hereafter be referred to as a pyrostat for thesake of brevity.

The closed expansion tube of the pyrosta I0 is inserted in the chamber which is being movement of the rod 33 and therefor spring 43' is substitutedto produce this necessary return motion. The spring 46 is not strong enough, however, to interfere at all with the movement of rod 33 when produced by the large expansion from heat.

The thrust rod 33 and expansion tube 30 for operations up to 2000 F. may consist of metal of the so-called 18-35 group,having low carbon and heated by the combustion ofthe mixed gases at loosely in the bore 33 of cylinder 3| and thebottom edge of which rests on the bottom of tube 3B. A similar'sphe'rical cap 31 fits the cylinder 3| at its upper end. These two rounded caps 34 and 3'! permit equalized distribution of any thrust on ceramic cylinder 3| the ends of which are ground off square. For general application four inches has been found a suflicient length for cylinder3l. Thecylinder 3|, rod 33 and associated parts constitute a core mounted in tube 30 for expansion and contraction independently thereof.

Thrustrod'33 is made of the same material as the tube .30 so that both have the same coeflicient; of expansion. Thrust rod. 33 bears against the spherical cap 31. Near its upper end rod 33 has a slot milled out as at 39 to provide room for movement of the lever 40 which is fulcrumed at 4|." Though a lever of the first class is illustrated and is preferable, a lever of the second class could equally well be used with a slight rearranging of parts. The fulcrum 4| is one corner of a square pin 43 which is borne by the thrust rod 4 33 as may be seen in Figure 2. The hole 42 in 1 t the lever 40 in which the pin 43 is located is trapezoidal in outline and so arranged that the corner having the largest interior angle is the comer baring on the upper right hand corner of the pin 43.

At the upper end of thrust rod 33 drilled and reamed hole in which a push rod 44 moves freely in a longitudinal direction. Push rod 44 has a chisel shaped" end which bears tened in the housing 43 and extends into the milled slot 33. The lower end of a small coil spring 46 bears against the bottom of the bore 38 in the rod 33, and the upper end of said spring there is a manganese content, 18% chromium and 35% nickel. For this material the thermal coeflicient or expansion at 1000 C. or 1800" IE. will be 'approximately 20 l0- per degree centigrade. Ceramic cylinder 3| at 1000 C. is approximately 3.3x10- per degree centigrade. It is tms relative difference in thermal coeflicient of expansion between the expansion tube and the ceramic cylinder 3| which provides the actuation of my control system. Above 2000 F. it is more satisfactory'if the expansion tube 30 and thrust rod 33 are also made of a ceramic material, e. g.', silicon carbide, which would stand the heat and also have a higher coefficient of thermal expansion than theceramic cylinder 3|. Any one of a number of ceramics having suitablecoeflicients of expansion and capable of withstandinghigh temperatures-could be'used; I

In general practice a length of four inches for the ceramic cylinder 3| has been found satisfactory. Thrust rod 33 is longer but the overall length of this member beyond that necessary to extend well out of the heated zone has no appreciable effect on theoperation of the control. The expansion tube 30inay extend well into the heated zone if desired," but a distance the length of the ceramic cylinder 3| is all that is required.

If the tube 30 is inserted a greater distance, then tial positioning of the instrument. There is a slight time lag between the expansion of tube 30 and rod 33 due to the small gap between the tube and rod to permit a sliding fit.

Mounted on the top of the housing 48 is a manually rotated handle having a worm 49 which engages a worm wheel 50. threaded to receive the rocker-arm lift screw 5|. Suitable choice of wheel and screw ratios permits index calibration of the regulating deviceto to guide its movement. Screw 54 is the zero adlustment used when tube 30 or thrust rod 33 should happen to be replaced by a member of a 46 bears against the pin 49. This spring is important when the pyrostat H! is used in such a position that the tube 30 is substantially hori-' zontal. For, when horizontal, there is no action of gravity to return the previously heat-expanded cylinder 3| and rod 33 against the end ofthe tube 30 when they subsequently contract from slightly difierent length. The metering pin 51 is actuated by the lever 43 to vary the opening of te inch in. diameter.

port 25. The diameter of the pin in the illustrated device is about 1 5 inch-and, the port 25 is The end of metering pin 5'! which closes port 25 is conical in shape. When the port is opened by the withdrawal of pin 51,

cooling. Actuation of lever 43 is dep ndent upon air will pass to the inside of the housing 43 from forces due to Worm wheel 50 is the pipe Junction 23. When air can escape from P rt 23. the air that passes to chamber 11b of the zero pressure regulating valve ll exerts less,

or no, pressure on the diaphragm 58 so that the.

supply of air to the burner port is lessened or ceases and consequently the supply of gas to said burner port is lessened or stopped. When metering pin 51 is moved to close port 25, then all the air that passes through needle valve 22 passes to chamber 11b. My device through the movement of metering pin 81 has the ability to throttle the flame as well as to turn it completely on or oflf. This permits very even temperatures during operation and a minimum of temperature fluctuation.-

The air that passes into the housing 48 from port 28 escapes to the open air through vent pipe 88.

The two zero pressure regulating valves are of similar construction. Their size is dependent upon the maximum possible delivery of fuel at the burner port by the particular burner. In valve II, for example, there are three chambers. Chamber I is connected to the .air main l6 through shut oii-valve .il and,pipe coupling l8. Chamber II is connected to chamber" through a spring loaded valve 12 which is seated in .the dividing wall 14. The valve stem I passes through a second wall I8 and is attached to an air tight diaphragm 59 which divides a third chamber 11 into two parts "a. and 11b. Wall 18 has an open hole 18 which permits equalization of air pressure between chambers 1| and "a. A port 18 leads from 11b (the right half of chamber 11) throughan air pipe threaded therein to the pipe junction 23 and needle valve 22. Diaphragm I8 i spring loaded .by spring 88 which spring may be adjusted by screw 8|. A pipe 82 which is threaded into the exterior wall of chamber ll leads through a throttle valve 84 to Venturi tube 88. 'The Venturi tube leads to the burner port in the combustion chamber the temperature .of whichis to be controlled.

The construction of zero pressure regulating valve I2 is the same as valve ll above described. The only difierences are in the connections. Gas pipe l5, instead of the air main as in the above case, leads from shut off valve i4 to the chamber III. The pipe 86, which is threaded into port I8 of the third chamber 11', leads not to an air supply, but merely to atmosphere. And the pipe 81 leading from the middle chamber II to Venturi tube 85 passes through no shut-elf valve since the flow' of gas is dependent upon the flow of air from pipe 82 through the Venturi tube 85. The maximum flow from pipe 82 to Venturi tube 85 is controlled by throttle valve 84 which also serves as a shut-oil? valve as will be mentioned below.

The operation of this temperature control system will now be described. First, regulating ad Justment 49-58 is rotated to set the pyrostat III for operation at some predetermined temperature. This setting adjusts the height of the fulcrum of the rocker arm 41. Assuming that the I chamber in which expansion tube 38 is located is cold from disuse, said tube 38 and the cylindrical thrust rod 33 and ceramic cylinder 3| will all be contracted. Push rod 44 is pushed downwardly by spring 45 acting through the right hand end of rocker arm 41. Depression of push rod 44 will make lever 48 pivot in a clockwise direction and thereby push the metering pin 51 to close the port 25. I

It might be well to point out here that spring 48 serves a second purpose other than the loading of push rod 44. It extreme and unexpected contraction of tube 38 occurs, the cylinder 3| will not be crushed because spring 48 is of such length and is so prestressed that it will absorb the compression which would otherwise be exert-v ed by thrust rod 33 entirely on the cylinder 3|.

Air valve I! will then be opened wide to let air' pass. At junction iii the stream of air will divide p. Some air willpass through the filter and needle valve 22 on to closed port 25 and also on into the chamber 11b through port I9. The rest oi the air will pass to chamber I0 of the zero pressure regulating valve H Since air cannot escape at closed port 25 and since valve 12 ofthe zero pressure regulating device I I is closed, the

air from tap pipe l8 will flow into chamber 'I'Ib and exert a pressure on diaphragm 58. The total force on the left side of diaphragm 58 is less than on the right side so valve 12 is pushed open and air passes into chambers II, "a and pipe 82 on as far as throttle valve 84 which is shut for the time being.

Then gas shut-on valve I4 is opened so that gas will flow from main l3 along pipe l5 into chamber III of the zero pressure'regulating valve i2. The gas is confined in chamber Ill. lbecause valve I2 is closed.

A torch is next applied to the burner port of the combustion chamber and throttle valve 84 is opened thus allowing air to pass through Venturi tube 88 to the burner port. Pipe connections 81, 81 lead from the neck 88 of Venturi tube 85 to chamber ll of gas pressure regulating valve l2. The lowered pressure at neck 88 of Venturi tube 88 resulting from passage of air from. throttle valve 84 entrains air in the pipes 81, 87 leading to chamber II which results in lowered pressure in chamber H and also in the chamber 'lla' be cause or the passage 18' between the two chambers. Atmospheric pressure in the chamber 11b then pushes on the diaphragm 58' and opens valve 12' permitting gas to pass through chamber 'll' on to the neck 88 o! the Venturi tube where it is entrained and mixed with air from valve 84 in the proper proportion for desired efliciency of combustion. The ratio of gas to air is arranged beforehand by adjustment of the two zero pressure regulating valves II and i2. For any given adjustment the resulting mixture 'is reasonably constant over a very wide range of burner operation. After the burner has been lighted, throttle valve 84 is adjustedto give the maximum volume of flame desired.

The heat given off by combustion to the ehambet, the temperature of which is to be controlled,

; causes the expansion tube 30 to expand downwardly since the upper end of tube 30 is fixed to the housing 48. Ceramic cylinder 3| also expands but not so much since its thermal coeflicient of expansion is so much less than that of the tube 30 and since it fits within tube 38 loosely and thereby gains little'heat by conduction. Ra-

-diation from tube 30 supplies most of the heat.

On this account, there is a time lag in both heating and cooling. Thrust rod 33 has the-same thermal coeflicient of expansion as tube 38 but as it also fits loosely within tube 30, it also is subject to a time lag in temperature change.

Therefore, since tube 30 expands considerably and since ceramic cylinder 3| expands less than said tube, the net eiiect is to lower the top of rod 33, pivot point 4i, and lever 40; However, lowering of lever 40 does not permit metering pin 51 to drop to open position during this initial heating period because spring 48 acting through 76' rocker arm 41 continues to press on the short arm against port 25 until thetemperature arrives near hereinafter.

(right side) of lever 40 and consequently to rotate the left hand arm upwards against the pin Thi action keeps metering pin closed its predetermined setting. At that time regulating rocker arm 41 has been rotated clockwise by the spring 45 to such an extent that the left end of 617 is stopped in its movement by adjustment screw 54. Thereafter a continued lowering of the bottom oftube 30 causes the left hand arm of lever 40, by reason of its weight, to start rotating. in a counterclockwise direction since push rod 44 is no longer spring loaded. This rotation allows metering pin 51 to recede from port 25 until counterclockwise rotation of lever 40 forces push rod 44 up against the spring-stressed regulating rocker arm 41. Further increase in temperature causesa further lowering of pivot point 4| and lever 40 and a consequent further recession of metering pin 51 from port .25. Opening port 25 in this manner permits escape of air which would otherwise go to chamber 11b of the zero pressure regulating air valve ll. Air escaping from port 25 passes through vent 60 to the exterior of housing 48. The contour of the point of the metering pin 5'! determines the area of opening at port 25 for any given travel of pin 51 and the area of the opening in' conjunction with air passage through needle valve 22 determines the amount of pressure above atmospheric which acts in chamber 11b on diaphragm 59 as will be more fully explained Since less pressure will now be exerted on diaphragm 59, valve I2 will be opened less and there will be a diminution of fuel supplied to the burner port. It will now be apparent why the original'raising or lowering of rockerarm lift screw by manipulation of the worm 49 and worm wheel 50 acts to control the temperature at which the fuel supply will be regulated.

Now, ceramic cylinder 3| will heat more slowly as was explained above and will expand to its maximum length after tube 30 has reached its maximum expansion due to heating. That is, tube 30 will cease to expand after the heat input has been lessened, due to the opening of port 25, but cylinder 3| may at that time be just approaching its full expansion. The expansion of cylinder 3| after tube 30 has ceased to expand will result in a slight raising of thrust rod 33, 'pivot point 4| and lever 49, which will cause lever 40 to start to push metering pin 5'! upwards again. This 'represents a transition point and soon the tem- 'on-ofi action.

Expansion tube 30 will .Forzmost practical applications my device is adjusted so that the usual abrupt on and off control of the flame, such as is now in common use,

is avoided. The preferred-method is to permit the temperature of the combustion chamber to approach within a few degrees of the predetermined maximum before allowing the flame to be altered, and then to throttle down the flame in proportion to further increase in temperature. Therefore 7 when the peak temperature is attained the burner temperature is reached port 25 is partially opened and air is passing therethrou'gh. This results in the air pressure on diaphragm 59 being decreased. to partially close the .valve 12. If there were no heat losses at all from the oven it would, of course, be possible to shut valve '72 completely when the desired temperature was attained, but.

since there always are heat'losses and since the rate of heat loss increases as the'operating temperature increases valve 12 is arranged, by prior adjustment, to be kept partially open.

By prior analysis and study of the rates of heat loss of the particular oven within the normal range of its operating temperatures, it is possible to make adjustments so that valve 12 will'allow just enough passage of air to the Venturi tube 85 to supply fuel sufficient to compensate for the loss of heat when any predetermined temperature has been reached. These adjustments may be'arranged' by varying the spring loads of the two'zero pressure valves or by varying the position of screw 54 in the housing 48, but the preferred adjustment is the following:

The calibrated adjuster 49-50 is set for example for 1600 F. The calibrated settingis so established that it permits-the pin 51 to begin withdrawing from port 25 about 25 F. in advance of the setting (i. e., 1575F.) so that at the predetermined temperature (1600" F.) the.

pin has moved about .010-.011 of an inch from the port. In this position pin 51 is capable of opening the port still further so that it may be said to be in an intermediate position and have a certain amount of play in either direction Y at the moment when the desired temperature is attained. The needle valve '22 has previously been opened sufliciently so thatwhen pin 51 is in its intermediate position the orifice at valve 22 is larger than at port 25. This means that not all the air pressure in pipe I9 will be able to escape through port 25 but enough will remain to act against diaphragm 59 of the air pressure regulating valve I I to keep valve l2 also in some intermediate position. (This intermediate position will vary as will'that of pin 51 in accordance with the rate of heat loss at the preset temperature, but there will always be sufficient range of intermediate positions to provide a modulating actionfor the normal range of operation of the oven.) Valve 'IZs position at this time will be such as to supply fuel to the burner port in such amountsv as to overcome the rate of heat loss of that particular oven at that particular temperature. In this way a precise modulating action is obtained instead of an onoff action. Since the ovens manufactured by the same company accordingto the same specifications often vary considerably, as to'heat losses it is necessary to initially adjust the needle valve 22 to compensate as above explained for the known heat losses of the particular oven to be tions to pipes 32 and 31 constitutes an aspirator tion in the use of industrial furnaces for heat treating operations and other purposes.

It is only necessary to expose that portion of expansion tube 30 immediately surrounding the ceramic cylinder 3| to the heating medium to obtain maximum normal response. The upper portion of tube 30 and thrust rod 33 are not affected by ambient temperature change which is not in the nature of an abrupt variation of a relatively large magnitude. The effect of any such undesirable fluctuation could be entirely eliminated by using any simple form of shield.

When the pyrostat II is used with its tube 30 lying in a substantially horizontal direction, the housing 33. should have its left end (as viewed in Figure 1) closest to the ground for that will permit lever 40 to continue to be pivoted on the same corner ll of the square pin .43., With the device in this position the spring 43 will position rod 33 and cylinder 3| against the closed end of tube 39 whenever they would otherwise tend to, lie out of contact with each other and the tubes end along the side of said tube 33. When the lever 49 is so positioned, as a result of the temperatures acting upon tube 3!, rod 33 and cylinder 3|, that it does not press pin 51 closed against port 23, then the air pressure in the passageway (instead of gravity as in Figure 1) will push the pin away from the port until pin 51 abuts against the tip of lever 40. This will permit the escape of air and, as previously described, will reduce the air pressurein the chamber 11b of air pressure regulating valve H.

In the pyrostat illustrated the ceramic cylinder 3| is represented as being about four inches long. That, taken in connection with the relative differences in coefllcient of expansion between the tube 30 and cylinder 3| and a me-' ehanical advantage of 50:1 possessed by the lever arm 40, makes it possible to obtain full range operation of the burner by temperature.

variations in the order of ,5 C. With the use of reasonable care and of precision zero pressure regulating valves, full range operation of the burner may be obtained by such slight fluctuations as 31 C.

While my temperature control system has been illustrated by the combination of the pyrostat id and the two zero pressure regulating valves It and |2,'this illustration is not to be considered limiting but merely by way of example. It would,

be entirely practicable, for example, to connect zero pressure regulating valve I l to the gas main instead of the air main, and completely eliminate the zero pressure regulating valve 12.

Or the pyrostat It could be used. to control fluid flow directly andv without any zero pressure regulating valves at all. In Figure 3 is a temperature control system which could be used to control a domestic heating plant, for example. The tube 33 would be inserted in the combustion chamber; or it could be located in a room of the building, though that would not be a satisfacasoaec I tory way of protecting the combustion chamber from reaching too high a temperature. It will be noted-that lever 40 does not directly press against the metering pin 31 but, instead, by means of a thrust rod 90,-presses an expansible bellows 9! which carries the metering pin 31.

Rod 90 is pivoted at its upper end to lever to and is secured at its lower end to the inside bottom of bellows 9|. The flow of gas in passageway 92 will be shut oii from the main chamber 93 of housing 49 by bellows 9!, though gas can get into chamber 95 through the guide hole 36. .When the temperature of the combustion chamber approaches its predetermined maximum, tube will elongate and thus lower thrust rod 33, as has been described earlier. As soon as rod 33 has been lowered sufliciently for the push rod 44 to be withdrawn from the action of-spring ll, then the long arm of lever Ill drops due to the force of gravity and the natural spring action of bellows 9| and starts to close the gas entry port 25. This will cut down the supply of gas to the burners of the combustion chamber. Tube 30 will then lose its heat, contract, and force up thrust rod 33. As push rod 44 once more engages the load of spring 45 the long arm of lever 49 will be raised and gas will flow more rapidly again through port 25 and passageway 92 to the burners.

If, instead of heating a chamber or room, it is desired to cool it to a certain minimum temperature, my device can also do that. In Figure 4 is the modified arrangement that permits this. Lever 40 pushes on a rod 91 which is attached at its upper end to the inside top of an expansible bellows 93. Bellows 98 prevents the passage of gas from passageway 99 and chamber I00 into the main chamber Ill of housing 49. The calibrated adjustment mechanism 49-59-5l is set fora certain minimumjemperature. Above this temperature, cooling fluid will pass through passageway 99, port 25 and press pin 51, and through chamber I00 and the passageway I02 to the place to be cooled. As the minimum temperature is approached in the chamber, the temperature of which is to be controlled, contraction of tube 30 forces up thrust rod 33. Push rod 44 then engages the loaded spring 45 (through rocker arm 41) and consequently pivots lever 49 in a clockwise direction by bearing on its short arm. That rotation of lever 49 forces up rod 91,

bellows 33 and metering pin 51. When the cool- .ing fluid is shut oif long enough, the place to be regulated may warm up. This will cause expansion of tube 30, a lowering of thrust rod 33 and a subsequent lowering of the long arm of lever 40. Pin 57 will move down and more cooling fluid will flow.

-It is possible to arrange the pyrostat Ill differently without departing from the bounds of my invention, in the following manner: The thrust rod 33 inside the tube 30 in each case may be eliminated and replaced by a cylinder,

Similar cycles of gas-flow modulation will follow.

pension would be replaced by a materialhaving the lesser coeflicient of thermal expansion. and

Figure 3 shows an arrangement for supplying fuel up toa maximum temperature. If tube 30 and thrust rod 33 were now replaced by parts of similar construction but of a material having a low coemcient of thermal expansion and if ceramic cylinder 3| (not shown) would then be replaced by a metal cylinder of greater coeflicient of expansion, one could use the device of Figure 3 to provide a cooling medium instead of a heating medium to maintain a predetermined minimum temperature. For example, as the temperature-of the space to be cooled begins to drop, the steel cylinder would contract most rapidly. This would result in the lowering of ceramic thrust rod 33. As soon as rod 33 lowered sulficiently-that is, approaching the predetermined temperature-the push rod, would be lowered beyond the range of the spring 45. Lever 40 would then pivot in a counterclockwise direction due to the weight of the long arm and port 25 would be closed by metering pin 51.

' Similarly, in Figure 4 a similar interchange of materials between cylinder 3| (not shown) and the tube 30 and rod 33 would permit the illustrated device to supply fuel rather than a cooling medium to maintain a predetermined maximum temperature.

In case the tube 30 and thrust rod 33 are made of materials having a low coeflicient of expansion and cylinder 3| is made of a material hav- -ing a higher coeflicient of expansion, it may be desirable to provide some means for allowing the enclosed cylinder 3| to be exposed to the ambient temperature so that it may react more quickly. To permit of quicker reaction to temperature fluctuations, a tube 30'such asthe one shown in Figure 5may be provided. In the lower end, which is the end placed within the space to be controlled, there are numerous holes which permit the surrounding .element to enter and directly cool or heat the cylinder 3|.

So that the gas, fluid, or whatever it may be will not leak out along theupper part of tube 30', a bellows )5 may be interposed between cylinder 3I'- and thrust rod 33 at any suitable point.

Cylinder 3| will then push up the bellows I05 when it expands and in that way raise rod 33'. Bellows I05 is fastened to the inner wall of tube 30' at its lower end; at its inside top it carries a rod I06 against -which cylinder 3| bears.

When cylinder 3i contracts, the weight of rod 33' will readily depress the bellows I05. The bellows serves only as a. fluid seal.

In summation then, it is the chief purpose of this invention to provide a sturdy .and rugged but verysensitive temperature control system uses. The illustrated devices are not to be considered limiting except as they may be specifi cally recited in the appended claims for many .variations'are possible without departing from the scope or spirit of this invention.

' I claim:

1. In combination, a housing, a tube secured at one end to said'housing, a core having a materially different coeflicient of expansion than said tube mounted in and free from the latter l0 forindependent expansion and contraction, said core comprising athrust rod extending through said one end of said tube into said housing, a lever pivoted on a fulcrum carried by said rod at the end portion thereof extending into said housing, a push rod slidably mounted in said end portion of said thrust rod outwardly thereof beyond said lever and disposed for engagement at its inner end with said lever, a pivoted rocker arm having one end disposed to contact the outer end of said push rod, spring means disposed adjacent and acting on said one end of said arm urging said push rod toward said lever, an abutment 7 member adjacent the other end of said rocker arm movement thereof by said spring means, said housing having a valve port therein, and a. valve member controlling said port urged in opening direction and having operating connection to said lever whereby movement of the latter about its fulcrum by said spring means '2. In combination, a housing, a tube secured at one end to said housing, a core having a materially different coeflicient of expansion than said tube mounted in and free from the latter as for independent expansion and contraction, said core comprising a thrust rod extending through said one end of said tube into said housing, a lever pivoted on a fulcrum carried by said rod at the end portion thereof extending into said 40 housing, a push rod slidably mounted in said end portion of said thrust rod outwardly thereof beyond said lever and disposed for engagement at its inner. end with said lever, a pivoted rocker arm having one end disposed to contact the outer end of said push rod, spring means disposed adjacent and acting on said one end of said arm urging said push rod toward said lever, an abutment member adjacent the other end of said rocker arm limiting movement thereof by said spring means, means for adjusting the position of the pivotal axis of said rocker arm, said housing having a port therein, and a valve member controlling said port urged in opening direction and having operating connection to said ,lever whereby movement of the latter about its fulcrum by said spring means moves said valve member in closing direction.

3. In combination, a housing, a tube secured at one end to said housing, a core having a materially different coeflicient of expansion than said tube mounted in and free fromthe latter for independent expansion and contraction, said said one end of said tube into said housing, a lever pivoted on a fulcrum carried by said rod at the end portion thereof extending into said Housing, a push rod slidably mounted in said end portion of said thrust rod outwardly thereof arm having one end disposed to contact the outer end of said push rod, spring means disposed adjacent and acting on said one end of said arm 16 urging said push rod toward said lever, an abutmove said valve member in closing direction.

core comprising a thrust rod extending through beyond said lever and disposedfor engagement at its inner end with said lever, a pivoted rocker ment member adjacent the other end of said rocker arm limiting movement thereof by said a having operating connection to said lever where-- by movement .of the latter about its fulcrum by said spring means moves said valve member in closing direction.

4. In combination, a housing, a tube secured at one end to said housing, a core having a materially different coeflicient of expansion-than said tube mounted in and free from the latter for independent expansion and contraction, said core comprising a thrust rod extending through said one end of said tube into said housing, a lever pivoted on a fulcrum carried by said rod at the end portion thereof extending into' said housing, a push rod slidably mounted in said end portion of said thrust rod outwardly thereof beyond said lever and disposed for engagement at its inner end with said lever, a pivoted rocker arm having one end disposed to contact the outer end of said ush rod, spring means disposed adjacent and acting on said one end of said arm urging said push rod toward said lever, an abutment member adjacent the other end of said rocker arm limiting movement thereof by said spring means, means for adjusting the position of the pivotal axis ofsaid rocker arm, means for adjusting said abutment member toward and away from said other end of said rocker arm,

said housing having a valve port therein, and a' valve member controlling said port urged in opening direction and having operating connection to said lever whereby movement of the latter about its fulcrum by said spring means moves said valve member in closing direction.

5. In combination, a housing, a tube secured at one end to said housing, a core having a ma terially different coefficient of expansion than said tube mounted in and free from the latter for independent expansion and contraction, said core comprising a thrust rod extending through said one end of said tube into said housing, a lever pivoted on a fulcrum carried by said rod at the end portion thereof extending into said housing, a push rod slidably mounted in said end portion of said thrust rod outwardly thereof beyond said lever and disposed for engagement at its inner end with said lever, a rocker arm pivoted on said housing yieldingly held in contact with the outer end of said push rod, means limiting movement of said arm toward said thrust rod, said housing having a valve port therein, and a valve member controlling said port having operating connection to said lever whereby movement of the latter responsive to movement of said thrust rod toward said rocker arm moves said valve member in one direction and movement of said lever responsive to movement of said thrust rod away.

from said rocker arm moves said valve member in the opposite direction.

6. In combination, a housing, a tube secured at one end to said housing, a core having a materially different coefficient of expansion than said tube mounted in and free from the latter for independent expansion and contraction, said core comprising a thrust rod extending through said one end of said tube into said housing, a lever pivoted on a fulcrum carried by said rod at the end portion thereof extending into said housing, a push rod slidably mounted in said end portion of said thrust rod outwardly thereof beyond said lever and disposed for engagement at its inner end with said lever, and a rocker arm pivoted on said housing yieldingly held in contact with the outer end of said push rod.

-7. In combination, a housing, a tube secured at one end to said housing, a core having a materially different coefllcientof expansion than said tube mounted in and free from the latter for independent expansion and contraction, said core comprising a thrust rod extending through said one end of said tube into said housing, a lever pivoted on a fulcrum carried by said rod at the end portion thereof extending into said housing, a push rod slidably mounted in said end portion of said thrust rod outwardly thereof beyond said lever and disposed for engagement at its inner end with said lever, a rocker arm pivoted on said housing yieldingly held in contact with the outer end of said push rod, and means limiting movement of said am toward said thrust rod.

8. In combination, a housing, a tube secured at one end to said housing, a core having a materially different coeflicient of expansion than said tube mounted in and free from the latter for independent expansion and contraction, said,

core comprising a thrust rod extending through said one ,end of said tube into said housing, the end portion of said rod within said housing having a transverse slot terminating short of the end of said rod, a lever pivoted in said slot on a fulcrum carried by said rod and having a short arm extending into said slot and a long arm extending outwardly therefrom, a push rod slidable in said end of said thrust rod with its inner end engaging the shortarm of said lever, yielding means carried by said housing contacting the outer end of said push rod urging the latter toward said lever and having limited movement toward said thrust rod, said housing having a valve port, and a valve member controlling said port having operating connection to the long arm of said lever whereby movement of thelatter responsive to movement of said thrust rod toward said rocker arm moves said valve member in one direction and movement of said lever responsive to movement of said thrust rod away from said rocker arm moves said valve member in the opposite direction.

9. ,In combination, a housing, a tube open at one end and there secured to said housing and closed at its other end, a core having a materially different 'coemcient of expansion than said tube mounted in the latter in contact with the closed end thereof and free from said tube for independent expansion and contraction, said core comprising a thrust rod extending into said housing, the end portion of said rod within said housing having a transverse slot terminating short of the end of said rod, means restraining said rod against turning movement and yieldingly holding it in contact with the closed end of said tube comprising a 'member carried by said housing and extending into said slot, a lever pivoted in said slot on a fulcrum clgried by said rod and having a short arm extending into said slot and a long arm extending outwardly ,therefrom, a push rod slidable in said end of said thrust rod with its inner end engaging the short arm of said lever, yielding means carried by said housing contacting the outer end ofsaid push rod r i the latter toward said lever and having limitedmovement toward said thrust rod, said housing having a valve port, and a valve member controlling said port having operating connection to the long ward said rocker arm moves said valve member in one direction and movementfotsaid lever responsive to movement 01' said rod aw y from said rocker arm moves said valve member in the opposite direction.

10. In combination, a hous a tube secured at one end to said housing, a core having a materially diil'erent coemcient of expansion than aid tube mounted in and iree'from the latter for independent expansion and contraction, said core comprising a thrust rod extending through said one end of said tube into said housing, the end portion of said rod within said housing having a transverse slot terminating short of the end of said rod, a lever pivoted in said slot on a tulcrum carried by said rod, a push rod slidable in said end of said thrust rod with its, inner end engaging said lever, spring means carried by said housing contacting the outer end of said push rod urging the latter toward said lever, adjustable means limiting movement of said spring s,'sos,e41

means toward said thrust rod, said housing having a valve port therein, and a valve member controlling said port having operating connection to said lever whereby movement of the latter responsive to movement of said thrust rod toward said spring means moves said valve member in one direction and movement of said lever responsive to movement of said thrust rod away from said spring means moves said valve member in the opposite direction. LEE R. TITCOMB. 

